Pregnancy Interrupted: Navigating non-normative loss of a desired pregnancy after termination for medical reasons (TFMR)

Description

The decision to terminate a desired pregnancy after the discovery of fetal anomalies is fraught with ambiguity and social judgment. This is often referred to as termination for medical reasons (TFMR). From societal forces such as the abortion debate and feelings rules, through the mezzo level forces of the technological imperative of medical systems, through the internal forces of grief and mourning, pregnant people are bombarded by mixed messages that seem to qualitatively affect their grief process.  This webinar will share reports of original research to explicate the experiences of people as they mourned after TFMR and suggest interventions for support for this population.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the bio-psychosocial context for pregnancy diagnosis and decisions about termination.
2. Contrast how TFMR affects grieving compared to “natural” losses like miscarriage and still birth.
3. Identify interventions for support of people after TFMR.

About the Presenters

Judith L. M. McCoyd (Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College- GSSWSR, 2003; MSSW, Columbia University- GSSW, 1985) is an associate professor and Associate Director of Doctoral Programs at Rutgers University’s School of Social Work. Her research lies at the intersection of perinatal health care, medical technologies, decision-making and bereavement. Dr. McCoyd explores the decisions to use prenatal diagnostic technologies and interventions such as maternal-fetal surgery, the experience of high-risk pregnancy, whether to continue a pregnancy affected by fetal anomalies, and the emotional responses to these events. She teaches in the MSW, DSW, and PhD programs. She maintains a clinical practice and has been part of the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers leadership for many years, receiving their Award for Excellence in 2010.